Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-03-23
CARLISLE TERRY, JR.
An Obituary Published In HIS
Home Paper.

The following beautiful obituary OF
Carlisle Terry, Jr.. who for so long had
charge of the Magnetic Observatory in
this city, and who died at his home in
Columbus. Georgia, on the 10th lnst.'
il published in paper of that city. Ii
was written by former classmate OF Mr..
Terry.
His last hours on earth were cheered
and brighiened by the tender minister
lug. OF his parents and only sister, aud
the devoted attentions Of the friends OF
his boyhood snd youth, in whose hearts
his noble traits of mind and characte
had Influenced an affection too strong
and lasti, z to be weakened by the long
, separation incdent to the pursuit of hi,
profession inz distant lands. HIS life.
cut short by his oevoti IN to the du les
of his profess ou. has been one of con.
slant action. and his marvellous progress
in the science to which he was so de-
voted warrants the belief that future
of great pr, minence in the sclen ific
world would have rewarded his labors
had he been spared.
Iu contemplating his life and achieve.
,rxents we are struck with admiration;
in recalling his warmth of heart and
gentlsness of disposition we are melted
to tears; at home, at college and 10 his
fields of labor he was esteemed and be-
loved by all wi n whom he was assoclat.
ed Born in 1851, the stormy days OF
war came on just at the time when the
grouad ~ork of an education should have
been laid; after scant preparation tor
such studies, as he showed decided
mathematical talent, he was matriculat'
ed at the University of Georgia for the
course of civil engineering; here he may
be said to have commenced life in ear
nest, and to have entered on a career
which through his high mental endow-
,ments, his d, votion to duty and his phe.
nomenal powers of concentration and
application is rarely equaled in bril-
liancy and success. Chafng under the
restraints and loss of time incident to
curriculum prepared for the training of
an average mind, he soon asked permis.
sion of the faculty to complete the
course in half the usual time by carry.
ing on simultaneously the studies of the
junior and senior classes. HIS wonder
full mathematical talent induced the fac.
ulty to accede to his request, and as
result we see him not only graduating
az civil and miuing engineer at the head
of the senior class, but carrying eff the
special medal for applied mathem ltics.
which required standard of excellence
so high that it had not been attained by
any aspi,aat for eight years previously.
Having completed the course, he re.
turned home with his diploma and his
honors so nobly won and so grace
fully borne, for a few months
much.needed rest, for the mental
strain of his brilliant collegiate
career had told visbly ON his not over :.
strong constitution. His first practical
work in his profession was on the
Georgia State geological survey. After
one year in this service he entered the
United States coast survey, where his
promotion was steady and rapid. His
skill and quick perceptions qualified him
peculiarly tor astronomical work. He
was ordered on longitude duty to vari
Gus parts of the United States, from
Florida to Omaha, Kansas and other dis
tant points. When it became necessary
to select some one to take charge of the
magnetic observatory at Los Angeles,
Cal, he was selected for this exceedingly
delicate and important work after a
careful canvass of the qualifications OF
many candidates. So important was ii
that the work in which he was now en-
gagged should go on continuously, that
Notwithstanding his now rapidly failing
health, he would never allow it TO be
interrupted for single day. On his
finally applying for relief and change to
work les confining, nearly twelve
m ,nths elapsed before qualified success.
sor could be found. When he was 1T
last relieved he wrote to his parents, 81
would have resigned long since but felt
in honor bound, like a soldier, to stay
until successor should come to relieve
me-" With sublime herolsm and self
sacrifice he had devoted himself to his
duties regardless of his declinii 6
streng b, until finally when relief can't i.
came too late to admit of his recupera-
ton but barely in time to enable him to
reach home-that sacred spot 80 un.
epeakably dear to the weary wanderer
in strange lands, and SO dOubly dear to
one of Carllsle's sffectionate and @ ntle
temperament. During all the fifteen
years of absorbing work in far distant
regions his devotion TO his parents, his
sister and his home was beautiful and
prominent feature of his life, which
served as comfort ard solace to them
in his long absence, and a safeguard to
him while beyond the healthful influence
of their presence, aid enabled him tc
say, during his last illness, IN all my
wanderings 1 can say to you l have never
done anything / would have been un'
willing for mother to see." 1t is moi
strange that after such life, when il
his last hours he babe farewell and gave
each dear one the final embrace, ht
should have raised his clasped hands tt
say; "Lord, have mercy upoa me, SIN
ner; pardon my sins and save me for thu
sake of thy Son, my Savior" And al
with loving smile he g zed on his dea
ones, assured them, II know in whom
trus; am perfectly safe, perfectly safe
/ have no fear"
For time after his return home hi
health seemed to improve, and hi
friends were encouraged to hope for hi
complete restoration, and that he woult
De spaTeu 10 cOuipioto iIO ~ aoSP
.ciously commenced, of usefulness in hi
profession, Of good to his fellow man ant
Of Joy to family and friends; but the sat
result proved that an all.wise Provi
dence had decreed otherwise. The strait
on his neves and life's cords had bee
too great and continuous to admit the re
covery of their tone. Extreme prostra
tion set in and calmly and PEACEFUL
his young life ebbed away until, anon
those he loved SO well, his soul left II
earthly tenement surrendered In tn
faithful discharge of duty. The bright
ening of his eyes and seeming return
viuor to his body during his last fe'
weeks or earth had proceeded from th
joyous throbbings of a pnre and noel
spirit, yearning to cast off its ma err
shackles and wing its fight to lis Ge
in the heaven of eternal rest.
L. II. G.